CRAWFORD & CO
10-Q, 1997-11-12
INSURANCE AGENTS, BROKERS & SERVICE
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Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 2

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

Condensed Financial Statements:

Year-to-Date Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the Nine-Month 
     Periods ended September 30, 1997 and September 30, 1996:

                                                  (In Thousands of Dollars
                                              Except Share and Per Share Data)

                                                             1997        1996 

Revenues                                                 $527,416    $474,089

Costs and Expenses:

   Cost of services provided, less reimbursed expenses
   of $28,927 in 1997 and $24,333 in 1996                 376,592     340,871

   Selling, general and administrative expenses            83,324      80,407

   Restructuring charge                                    13,000           0

        Total costs and expenses                          472,916     421,278

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest           54,500      52,811

Provision for Income Taxes                                 21,670      21,297

Income Before Minority Interest                            32,830      31,514

Minority Interest in Loss of Joint Venture                  1,803           0

Net Income                                                $34,633     $31,514

Net Income Per Share
   Primary                                                  $0.70       $0.62
   Assuming Full Dilution                                   $0.67       $0.60

Average Number of Class A and Class B Common
Shares used in Net Income per Share Calculations
   Primary                                             49,736,692  51,216,146
   Assuming Full Dilution                              51,707,649  52,521,003

Declared Dividends Per Share - Class A Common Stock         $0.33       $0.30

Declared Dividends Per Share - Class B Common Stock         $0.33       $0.29


         (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 3


Quarterly Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three-Month 
     Periods ended September 30, 1997 and September 30, 1996:

                                                  (In Thousands of Dollars
                                              Except Share and Per Share Data)

                                                             1997        1996 

Revenues                                                 $178,896    $154,897

Costs and Expenses:

   Cost of services provided, less reimbursed expenses
   of $10,139 in 1997 and $8,466 in 1996                  126,977     110,875

   Selling, general and administrative expenses            26,364      25,833

        Total costs and expenses                          153,341     136,708

Income Before Income Taxes and Minority Interest           25,555      18,189

Provision for Income Taxes                                  9,967       7,334

Income Before Minority Interest                            15,588      10,855

Minority Interest in Income of Joint Venture                 (702)          0

Net Income                                                $14,886     $10,855

Net Income Per Share
   Primary                                                  $0.30       $0.22
   Assuming Full Dilution                                   $0.29       $0.21

Average Number of Class A and Class B Common
Shares used in Net Income per Share Calculations
   Primary                                             49,449,406  51,033,923
   Assuming Full Dilution                              51,420,363  52,338,780


Declared Dividends Per Share - Class A Common Stock         $0.11       $0.10

Declared Dividends Per Share - Class B Common Stock         $0.11       $0.10


         (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 4


Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996:


                                                    (In Thousands of Dollars)

                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                   September 30   December 31 
                                                           1997          1996 

ASSETS

Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                              $68,871     $55,485
   Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $16,064 in 1997 and $11,692 in 1996      121,166     112,975
   Unbilled revenues, at estimated billable amounts        93,317      68,593
   Prepaid income taxes                                     3,134       2,677
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets               14,605       7,166

      Total current assets                                301,093     246,896


Property and Equipment:
   Property and equipment, at cost                        152,578     123,901
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization        (112,264)    (92,264)

      Net property and equipment                           40,314      31,637


Other Assets:
   Intangible assets arising from acquisitions, 
     less accumulated amortization of $10,063 in 
     1997 and $8,768 in 1996                               51,114      52,266
   Prepaid pension obligation                              47,612      41,405
   Other                                                    4,677       5,881

      Total other assets                                  103,403      99,552


TOTAL ASSETS                                             $444,810    $378,085


          (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 5


                 Consolidated Balance Sheets - (Continued)


                                                    (In Thousands of Dollars)

                                                    (Unaudited)
                                                   September 30   December 31 
                                                           1997          1996 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT

Current Liabilities:
   Short-term borrowings                                  $20,721      $8,437
   Accounts payable                                        18,899      13,329
   Accrued compensation and related costs                  29,466      30,811
   Other accrued liabilities                               58,001      32,645
   Deferred revenues                                       16,057      16,300
   Current installments of long-term debt                   9,750       9,130

      Total current liabilities                           152,894     110,652

Noncurrent Liabilities:
   Long-term debt, less current installments                  984         376
   Deferred income taxes                                   11,189      13,810
   Deferred revenues                                       14,136      12,902
   Postretirement medical benefit obligation                8,183       8,037
   Self-insured risks                                       8,663       8,172
   Minority interest                                       27,431           0
   Other                                                    4,102       2,600

      Total noncurrent liabilities                         74,688      45,897

Shareholders' Investment:
   Class A Common Stock, $1.00 par value;  50,000,000
     shares authorized;  23,733,248 and 24,392,393
     shares issued in 1997 and 1996, respectively          23,733      24,392
   Class B Common Stock, $1.00 par value;  50,000,000
     shares authorized;  25,511,224 and 25,718,919
     shares issued in 1997 and 1996, respectively          25,511      25,719
   Retained earnings                                      176,221     173,708
   Cumulative translation adjustment                       (8,237)     (2,283)

      Total shareholders' investment                      217,228     221,536


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT           $444,810    $378,085


         (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 6


Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine-Month Periods 
     Ended September 30, 1997 and September 30, 1996:

                                                    (In Thousands of Dollars)

                                                            1997        1996 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
   Net income                                             $34,633     $31,514
   Reconciliation of net income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
       Minority interest in loss of joint venture          (1,803)          0
       Depreciation and amortization                       11,742      11,933
       Deferred income taxes                               (3,078)      1,336
       Loss on sales of property and equipment                339         324
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
         Short-term investments                                 0       5,470
         Accounts receivable, net                           7,691       1,836
         Unbilled revenues                                  4,841      (6,959)
         Prepaid or accrued income taxes                    4,640      (1,511)
         Accounts payable and accrued liabilities           6,462      13,992
         Deferred revenues                                    992       2,624
         Prepaid expenses and other assets                (15,692)    (10,944)
Net cash provided by operating activities                  50,767      49,615

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
   Acquisitions of property and equipment                  (7,506)     (6,137)
   Sales of property and equipment                            205         301
Net cash used in investing activities                      (7,301)     (5,836)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
   Dividends paid                                         (16,425)    (15,119)
   Repurchase of common stock                             (20,624)    (15,940)
   Issuance of common stock                                 3,977       1,063
   Increase/(decrease) in short-term borrowings             3,755      (1,357)
   (Decrease)/increase in long-term debt                   (3,897)        126
Net cash used in financing activities                     (33,214)    (31,227)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and 
   cash equivalents                                         3,134         (42)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents                      13,386      12,510
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period           55,485      40,802
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                $68,871     $53,312

Cash payments for income taxes                            $21,027     $21,461


         (See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements)




Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 7


                  NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.  The condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared by 
the Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Certain information and footnote 
disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted
pursuant to such rules and regulations.  These condensed financial statements 
should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes 
contained in the Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996.  

    In the opinion of management, the condensed financial statements included 
herein contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) 
necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Registrant as of 
September 30, 1997, the results of its operations for the three- and nine-month
periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996, and its cash flows for the 
nine-month periods then ended.

2.  The results of operations for the nine-month period ended September 30, 
1997, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected during the 
balance of the year ending December 31, 1997.

3.  The Company completed the agreement signed December 19, 1996, with Swiss 
Reinsurance Company (Swiss Re) to merge both companies' claims services firms 
outside the United States into Crawford-THG Limited, in which the Company has 
a 60% controlling interest.  The merger was accounted for as a partial sale of 
the Company's 100% owned subsidiary, Crawford & Company International (CCI), 
to Swiss Re and a partial acquisition of Swiss Re's 100% owned subsidiary, 
Thomas Howell Group (THG), by the Company.  Swiss Re's 40% interest in the 
equity and net income/loss of the joint venture is reflected in the 
accompanying financial statements as minority interest.

4.  Net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted 
average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods.  Net 
income per share assuming full dilution is determined by dividing net income by 
the weighted average number of shares outstanding and common stock equivalents 
during the respective periods.

    The Company plans to adopt Statement of Financial Standards ("SFAS") No. 
128, "Earnings per Share," effective December 15, 1997.  This statement will 
require dual presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income 
statement for all entities with complex capital structures and will require
restatement of all prior-period EPS data presented.  If this statement had 
been effective January 1, 1997, the basic EPS would be $0.70 per share and the 
diluted EPS would be $0.67 per share for the nine-month period ended September 
30, 1997, compared to basic EPS of $0.62 per share and diluted EPS of $0.60


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                         Page 8


per share for the first nine months of 1996.

5.  In July 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued two new 
statements.  SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," establishes 
standards for reporting and display of "comprehensive income," which is the 
total of net income and all other non-owner changes in stockholders' equity,
and its components.  The Company is in the process of evaluating SFAS No. 130 
and its impact and will adopt the standard in the first quarter of its 1998 
fiscal year.

    SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related 
Information," supersedes SFAS Nos. 14, 18, 24 and 30 and establishes new 
standards for segment reporting, using the "management approach," in which 
reportable segments are based on the same criteria on which management 
disaggregates a business for making operating decisions and assessing 
performance.  The Company is in the process of evaluating SFAS No. 131 and its
impact and will adopt the standard for its 1998 fiscal year.

6.  The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a 
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents for purposes of the 
Statements of Cash Flows.

7.  On February 4, 1997, the Board of Directors declared a three-for-two stock 
split on both the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.  The split was
effected in the form of a 50% stock dividend on the outstanding shares of each 
class, paid on March 25, 1997 to stockholders of record on March 11, 1997.  All
share and per share amounts in the accompanying financial statements have been 
restated to give retroactive effect to the stock split.


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 9


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations.

Financial Condition

At September 30, 1997, current assets exceeded current liabilities by 
approximately $148.2 million, an increase of $12.0 million from the working 
capital balance at December 31, 1996.  Cash and cash equivalents at September 
30, 1997 totaled $68.9 million, increasing $13.4 million from the balance at 
the end of 1996.  The Company held no short-term investments at September 30, 
1997 or December 31, 1996.  Cash was generated primarily from operating 
activities, while the principal uses of cash were for repurchases of common 
stock, dividends paid to shareholders, and acquisitions of property and 
equipment.  At September 30, 1997, the ratio of current assets to current
liabilities was 2.0 to 1 compared with 2.2 to 1 at the end of 1996.

During 1996, the Company announced a share repurchase program to acquire up 
to an aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of its Class A or Class B Common Stock 
through open market purchases.  Through September 30, 1997, the Company has 
reacquired 2,208,700 shares of its Class A Common Stock and 541,850 shares of 
its Class B Common Stock at an average cost of $14.39 and $14.68 per share,
respectively.

The Company maintains credit lines with banks in order to meet seasonal 
working capital requirements of its foreign subsidiaries or other financing 
needs that may arise.  Short-term borrowings outstanding as of September 30, 
1997, totaled $20.7 million, as compared to $8.4 million at the end of 1996, 
due to the acquisition of THG.  Since the acquisition, short term borrowings 
have increased $3.8 million, as the Company's foreign operations have expended 
cash for the costs accrued in the first quarter restructuring charge.  The 
Company believes that its current financial resources, together with funds 
generated from operations and existing and potential long-term borrowing 
capabilities, will be sufficient to maintain its current operations.

The Company does not engage in any hedging activities to compensate for the 
effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the operating results of its foreign 
subsidiaries.  Foreign currency denominated debt is maintained primarily to 
hedge the currency exposure of its net investment in foreign operations.

Shareholders' investment at September 30, 1997 was $217.2 million, compared 
with $221.5 million at the end of 1996.  Long-term debt totaled $1.0 million 
at September 30, 1997, or approximately 0.5% of shareholders' investment.


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 10


Results of Operations

Operating results for the Company's domestic and international operations for 
the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 are as 
follows:

           Nine-month Periods Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996

                         Domestic         International           Total 
                      1997      1996      1997      1996      1997      1996 
                           (In thousands of dollars, except percentages)
Revenues            $418,781  $415,720  $108,635  $ 58,369  $527,416  $474,089 

Compensation 
  & Benefits         260,972   268,524    68,453    36,102   329,425   304,626 
% of Revenues          62.3%     64.6%     63.0%     61.9%     62.5%     64.3% 

Expenses Other 	 	 	 	 	 	 
  than Compensation 
  & Benefits          94,109    96,912    36,382    19,740   130,491   116,652 
% of Revenues          22.5%     23.3%     33.5%     33.8%     24.7%     24.6% 

Pretax Income Before 	 	 	 	 	 	 
  Restructuring 
  Charge and 
  Minority Interest $ 63,700  $ 50,284  $  3,800  $  2,527  $ 67,500  $ 52,811 
% of Revenues          15.2%     12.1%      3.5%      4.3%     12.8%     11.1% 


            Three-Month Periods Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996


                         Domestic          International          Total
                      1997      1996       1997      1996     1997      1996 
                           (In thousands of dollars, except percentages)
Revenues            $137,842  $137,052  $ 41,054  $ 17,845  $178,896  $154,897 

Compensation 
  & Benefits          84,568    89,338    25,397    11,797   109,965   101,135 
% of Revenues          61.4%     65.2%     61.9%     66.1%     61.5%     65.3% 

Expenses Other 
  than Compensation 
  & Benefits          29,171    29,255    14,205     6,318    43,376    35,573 
% of Revenues          21.2%     21.3%     34.6%     35.4%     24.2%     23.0% 

Pretax Income Before 	 	 	 	 	 	 
  Restructuring 
  Charge and 
  Minority Interest $ 24,103  $ 18,459  $  1,452  $  (270)  $ 25,555  $ 18,189 
% of Revenues          17.5%     13.5%      3.5%    (1.5%)     14.3%     11.7% 


Form 10-Q                                                Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                         Page 11


Revenues for the first nine months and third quarter of 1997 were $527.4 
million and $178.9 million, respectively, up 11.2% and 15.5% from the $474.1 
million and $154.9 million for the same periods in 1996.  Consolidated pretax 
income before restructuring charge and minority interest increased 27.8% and
40.5%, to $67.5 million and $25.6 million in the first nine months and third 
quarter of 1997 compared to the same periods in 1996.  While revenues increased
11.2% and 15.5% in the nine- and three-month periods ended September 30, 1997, 
corresponding expenses increased only 9.2% and 12.2% due to efficiencies
achieved in operating and support activities throughout the Company.


DOMESTIC OPERATIONS

Revenues

Domestic revenues from insurance companies and self-insured entities totaled 
$418.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1997, a 0.7% increase 
over the comparable period in 1996.  Third quarter 1997 revenues totaled $137.8
million, an increase of 0.6% over related 1996 revenues of $137.1 million.

Domestic unit volume, measured principally by chargeable hours and excluding 
acquisitions, decreased approximately 2.8% and 4.1% in the first nine months 
and third quarter of 1997, respectively, compared to the same periods in 1996. 
This decrease was partially offset by changes in the mix of services provided 
and in the rates charged for those services, the combined effects of which 
increased revenues by approximately 2.1% and 3.5% in the first nine months and 
third quarter of 1997, respectively, compared to the comparable periods in 
1996.  The Company's acquisition of the Thomas Howell Group - Americas unit 
based in the United States increased domestic revenues by 1.4% and 1.1% in the 
first nine months and third quarter of 1997, respectively, compared to 1996.

Revenues from domestic operations include $19.6 million in revenue from 
services provided by the Company's catastrophe adjusters during the first 
nine months of 1997, principally to clients affected by natural or man-made 
disasters, including hurricanes, floods, hail storms and oil spills.  During 
the same period in 1996, such revenue approximated $28.7 million.  This
decrease was due to a decrease in weather-related claims in the first nine 
months of 1997 compared to the same period of 1996.  In the third quarter of 
1997, revenues produced by the Company's catastrophe adjusters totaled $6.4 
million, as compared to $11.3 million in the 1996 third quarter.

Compensation and Fringe Benefits

The Company's most significant expense is the compensation of its employees, 
including related payroll taxes and fringe benefits.  Domestic compensation 
expense decreased as a percent of 


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 12


revenues from 64.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 1996 to 62.3% in 
the same period in 1997, and from 65.2% for the third quarter of 1996 to 61.4% 
for the third quarter of 1997.  This decrease is due primarily to a decline in 
administrative compensation expense, resulting from a consolidation of
administrative support functions. 

Domestic salaries and wages of personnel other than contract managers decreased
by 3.7% and 4.8%, from $197.5 million and $66.2 million in the first nine 
months and third quarter of 1996, respectively, to $190.1 million and $63.0 
million in the comparable periods in 1997, due to the aforementioned
consolidation of administrative support functions.  Contract managers' 
compensation is based on the operating income of the offices which they 
manage.  Compensation of these managers totaled $31.1 million and $10.1 million
in the nine-and three-month periods ended September 30, 1997, increasing 10.3%
and 8.6% from related 1996 costs of $28.2 million and $9.3 million.

Payroll taxes and fringe benefits for domestic operations totaled $39.8 
million and $11.5 million in the first nine months and third quarter of 1997, 
decreasing 7.0% and 16.7% from 1996 costs of $42.8 million and $13.8 million, 
due primarily to lower employee group medical costs.

Expenses Other than Compensation and Fringe Benefits

Domestic expenses other than compensation and related payroll taxes and 
fringe benefits approximated 22.5% and 21.2% of revenues for the nine and 
three months ended September 30, 1997, respectively, down from 23.3% and 21.3% 
of revenues for the same periods in 1996.  This decline is largely due to lower
rent and occupancy costs, as branch locations have been consolidated into
campus environments and excess space has been released.


INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

Revenues

Revenues from the Company's international operations totaled $108.6 million 
and $41.1 million for the first nine months and third quarter of 1997, 
respectively, a 86.1% and 130.1% increase from $58.4 million and $17.8 
million for the same periods in 1996.  This increase is primarily due to the 
acquisition of THG, with seven months' results included in the first nine 
months of 1997, due to an acquisition effective date of January 1, 1997
and a two-month delay in reporting international results.


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 13

 
Compensation and Fringe Benefits

As a percent of revenues, compensation expense, including related payroll 
taxes and fringe benefits, increased from 61.9% to 63.0% in the nine-month 
periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1997, respectively.  Compensation 
expense decreased to 61.9% of revenues in third quarter 1997, from 66.1% of 
revenues in third quarter 1996.  Salaries and wages of international personnel
decreased from 53.9% and 57.4% of revenues in 1996 to 53.2% and 51.8% for the 
comparable periods in 1997, due primarily to efficiencies achieved in 
integrating the former Crawford and former THG administrative functions and 
branch operations.  Payroll taxes and fringe benefits increased as a percent of
revenues, from 8.0% and 8.7% in the nine-and three-month periods ended 
September 30, 1996, to 9.9% and 10.0% in the same periods in 1997, due 
primarily to more generous retirement programs maintained by the acquired THG 
entities.

Expenses Other than Compensation and Fringe Benefits

Expenses other than compensation and related payroll taxes and fringe 
benefits approximated 33.5% of international revenues for the first nine 
months of 1997, compared to 33.8% of revenues for the same period in 1996.  
Third quarter expenses were 34.6% and 35.4% of international revenues for 1997 
and 1996, respectively, with the decline due primarily to lower rent and 
occupancy costs through the integration of former Crawford and former THG
operations.  These expenses comprise a higher percentage of revenues than the 
Company's domestic operations due primarily to amortization of intangible 
assets and higher automobile, occupancy and interest costs.

Restructuring Charge

In connection with the acquisition of Thomas Howell Group, the Company 
recorded a pretax charge of $13 million for personnel, facilities and other 
costs associated with integration of the Company's international businesses.  
This one-time charge will be recovered through lower operating costs within a 
year after the restructuring is completed. After reflecting income tax
benefits of $4.3 million and minority interest share of $3.5 million, this 
charge reduced Crawford's net income for the nine months ended September 30, 
1997 by $5.2 million, or $0.10 per share.

Minority Interest

Minority interest benefit of $1.8 million and minority interest expense of 
$.7 million was recorded in the first nine months and third quarter of 1997, 
respectively, reflecting Swiss Re's 40% minority interest in Crawford-THG 
Limited.


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 14


FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

The Company expects to incur significant costs during the next two to three 
years to address the impact of the so-called Year 2000 problem on its 
information systems.  The Year 2000 problem, which is common to most 
organizations, concerns the inability of information systems, primarily 
computer software programs, to properly recognize and process date sensitive 
information as the year 2000 approaches.  The Company is in the process of
assessing its systems and developing a specific work plan to address this 
issue.  The Company believes it will be able to modify or replace its affected 
systems in time to minimize any detrimental effects on operations.  While it is
not yet possible to give an accurate estimate of the cost of this work, the
Company expects that such costs may be material to the Company's results of 
operations in one or more fiscal quarters or years but will not have a
material adverse impact on the long-term results of operations, liquidity or 
consolidated financial position of the Company.  

Certain information discussed in the Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations may include forward-looking 
statements, the accuracy of which is subject to a number of risks and 
assumptions.  The Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 
1996, discusses such risks and assumptions and other key factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such 
forward-looking statements.  An additional risk factor is the Company's 
ability to timely and efficiently address the Year 2000 problem.


Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 15


Review by Independent Public Accountants.

Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, has performed a review 
of the interim financial information contained herein in accordance with 
established professional standards and procedures for such a review and has 
issued its report with respect thereto (see page 16).


Form 10-Q                                              Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                       Page 16


                REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and 
Board of Directors of
Crawford & Company:

We have made a review of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet 
of CRAWFORD & COMPANY (a Georgia corporation) AND SUBSIDIARIES as of September 
30, 1997 and the related condensed consolidated statements of income for the 
three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 and the
condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods 
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.  These financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim 
financial information consists principally of obtaining an understanding of 
the system for the preparation of interim financial information, applying 
analytical procedures to financial data and making inquiries of persons 
responsible for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in
scope than an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, 
the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial 
statements taken as a whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should
be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in 
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Crawford & Company and 
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 (not presented separately herein), and in 
our report dated January 28, 1997, we expressed an unqualified opinion on that 
balance sheet.  In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying 
condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1996 is fairly stated, 
in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from 
which it has been derived.

                                  /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP 

Atlanta, Georgia
October 31, 1997  



Form 10-Q                                              Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                       Page 17


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
           (a)  Exhibits

                15.1   Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP
                27.1   Financial Data Schedule

           (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

                Registrant filed no reports on Form 8-K during the period 
                covered by this report.



Form 10-Q                                              Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                       Page 18


                                SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
                                            
                                             Crawford & Company
                                                (Registrant)


Date:  11/10/97                          /s/D. A. Smith
                                         D. A. Smith
                                         Chairman of the Board and
                                         Chief Executive Officer

Date:  11/10/97                          /s/D. R. Chapman              
                                         D. R. Chapman
                                         Executive Vice President - Finance
                                         (Principal Financial Officer)



Form 10-Q                                              Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                       Page 19


                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.     Description                               Sequential Page No. 

   15.1         Letter from Arthur Andersen LLP                  20 

   27.1         Financial Data Schedule  (for SEC use only) 	




Form 10-Q                                               Crawford & Company
Quarter Ended September 30, 1997                        Page 20
                                                        Exhibit 15.1


To the Stockholders and 
Board of Directors of
Crawford & Company:

We are aware that Crawford & Company has incorporated by reference in its 
previously filed Registration Statement File No. 2-78989, Registration 
Statement File No. 33-22595, Registration Statement File No. 33-47536, 
Registration Statement File No. 33-36116, Registration Statement File No. 
333-2051, Registration Statement File No. 333-24425, and Registration
Statement File No. 333-24427, its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 
30, 1997, which includes our report dated October 31, 1997 covering the 
unaudited interim financial information contained therein.  Pursuant to 
Regulation C of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), that report is not
considered a part of the Registration Statement prepared or certified by our 
firm or a report prepared or certified by our firm within the meaning of 
Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.
                                                                
                                    /s/Arthur Andersen LLP


Atlanta, Georgia
October 31, 1997



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